Lighting Industry's New Normal Seems to Be in Effect, NLB Says. Lighting-Systems Index Continues Decline

Shepherdstown, WV - Lighting-equipment demand fell 4.7% between the second and third quarters of 2016, according to data developed by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) for its Lighting-Systems Index (LSI), a seasonality- and inflation-adjusted composite measure of luminaires, ballasts, miniature lamps, large lamps, and emergency lighting shipped throughout the United States by NEMA members. NEMA used 2002 data to create the LSI's 100-point benchmark. 

Source: National Lighting Bureau

According to Laurie M. Miller, NEMA's director of statistical operations, the year-over-year LSI decline was even more dramatic: Third-quarter 2016 demand was 9.7% less than third-quarter 2015 demand. Demand fell for all monitored equipment: luminaires, ballasts, miniature lamps, large lamps, and emergency lighting. 

National Lighting Bureau (NLB) Executive Director John Bachner commented, "The lighting market has changed and its rapid evolution shows no sign of let-up. Traditional lighting is being replaced by new technology, LED-based [light-emitting-diode-based] products in particular. For example, between the second and third quarters of 2016, halogen-lamp shipments fell 7.5%, compact-fluorescent-lamp (CFL) shipments fell 12.8%, and incandescent-lamp shipments fell 17.2%. By contrast, during the same period, LED A-line lamps shipments posted a 124.2% increase. The falling prices of many LED products make the lighting source's energy efficiency, versatility, adaptability, and longevity even more attractive. In short, the electric-illumination industry is changing. I suspect that the metrics used to monitor its health will be changing, too." 

The National Lighting Bureau is an independent, IRS-recognized not-for-profit, educational foundation that has served as a trusted lighting-information source since 1976. The Bureau's services are provided to the public free of charge, thanks to the generous funding of the organization's sponsors: professional societies, trade associations, labor unions, manufacturers, and agencies of the U.S. government, including: 

• A.L.P. Lighting Components, Inc.;
• ATG Electronics;
• Current, Powered by GE;
• Forest Lighting;
• Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES);
• Imperial Lighting Maintenance Company;
• interNational Association of Lighting Management Companies (NALMCO);
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW);
• Lighting Controls Association (LCA);
• LumenOptix;
• Lutron Electronics Company, Inc.;
• National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA);
• National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA);
• OSRAM SYLVANIA;
• U.S. General Services Administration; and
• Viscor Group of Companies.

Obtain more information about the Bureau by visiting its website (www.nlb.org) or by contacting its staff at [email protected] or 304.870.4249.